Just off Panama’s Caribbean coast are the San Blas islands: an archipelago of small tropical islands that are home to the indigenous Guna Yala people. There’s a rumoured island for each day of the year, so 365 in total! Paradise – I was extremely keen to go!
Colombia was my last country in South America and originally the end point of my six month travels. However, in Ecuador I got thinking about extending my trip to Central America and Mexico, and going home for Christmas. It was an easy decision to make!
Reaching the San Blas Islands
A popular option to get from Colombia to Central America is to sail the San Blas Islands to Panama (or vice versa). This is what I initially considered and there are two main options – sailboat or speedboat.
If you’d like to visit the San Blas Island but the first two options aren’t for you, fear not there’s a third – a trip from Panama City.
1. Sailing with Blue Sailing
These are 6 day/5night tours on a sailboat through the San Blas Islands. They leave from Cartagena and cost $550. There are two days at open sea and the remaining three around the islands. It’s pricey but I’ve bumped into many who’ve done it on this trip and they all had good things to say!
2. Speedboat with San Blas Adventures
This is a 4 night tour on a speedboat through the San Blas Islands. It’s cheaper than the sailboat, at approx $400, and leaves from Capurgana and Sapzurro, right on the border with Panama. You will need to get to so these will add on costs. An advantage to the speedboat is that there is no open sea water crossing. Again, I know people who’ve done it and really enjoyed it!
As I said above, I was planning on crossing to Central America and visiting the islands via one of the tours above. However, when I was in Colombia and having been to the beautiful paradise island of Providencia, I began to second guess whether I should go to San Blas.
This really surprised me as San Blas had long been a place I was keen to visit (ever since autumn 2017 on my first trip to South America).
I eventually decided not to sail or speedboat San Blas. I wasn’t super keen on being on a boat at open sea and neither did I fancy getting to the start point for the speedboat tour. Instead, I went for the third option for visiting San Blas which is more popular with those solely exploring Panama – a trip from Panama City.
3. A trip from Panama City
If you don’t fancy sailing or taking a speedboat from Colombia to Panama (or vice versa), don’t worry! Visiting the San Blas Island is completely possible from Panama City and it works out cheaper! This is the option I went with.
I flew from Cartagena to Panama City and booked a two night trip to San Blas with my hostel, Casa Areka.
Side note: I really liked Casa Areka!
Note: San Blas Dreams seems to be the most popular company for trips from Panama City. You can book online on their website or at one of their offices. They have a desk at El Machico hostel. They have several tours to different islands available from $100 upwards, depending on number of days and the island you choose. The entrance tax to Kuna Gala land isn’t included in the total!
Price: A one night trip costs $130 and includes transport, port and Kuna Gala taxes, boat tour to Isla Pelicano, accommodation, and meals. An extra night costs $25. I went for two nights and paid $155 and an extra $10 on the island for a second boat trip.
The trip
Ready at 5am, we left at 5.30am to drive to the boat in Carti. It took us 3hrs, including a half an hour stop for breakfast. For the first part I was chatting to our driver and the rest I slept!
Tip: Leave your big bag at your hostel in Panama City and just take a small one.
Tip: You need your passport to enter Kuna Gala land.
We arrived at around 8.30am and waited (probably 40mins) for the boat to pick us up. It didn’t necessarily feel like there was a system in place but it all worked out and we were on our way to paradise.
It took around 50 minutes to reach Naranjo Chico island and Cabaña Ina, where I was staying. We did arrive to clouds, but the island was gorgeous! Welcome to paradise! The sun soon came out and wow the colour of the water is really something!
Good to know: It’s not allowed to take photos of the locals.
Tip: Take a big bottle of water for your stay!
The island was amazing! Full of palm trees and small! Walking around it only took 10-20 minutes!
Being on a tropical island, the main activity is relaxing and enjoying paradise. In the afternoon, after lunch on my first day, I went to on the boat trip to Isla Pelicano. It’s now known as the island where an episode of the Netflix show, Casa de Papel, was filmed and it really is beautiful.
Six of us were dropped off on the island and the remaining eight or so continued on for their tour. I was very confused as to why we were being left on the island! They told us they’d return in an hour and off they went.
I’ve never been left on a tiny tropical paradise island before and it was so so cool! It’s normally a boat load of tourists show up at the same time and it’s crowded. We had it to ourselves and it was amazing! Our very own private paradise!
On the second day, aside from chilling and seeing the biggest fish ever in a fisherman’s boat (sorry no pic, I was too busy gaping!), I went on the boat trip that the others had done the first day when we got dropped off at Isla Pelicano.
We went to a natural pool in the middle of the sea and a second island near Isla Pelicano. The natural pool was the highlight! First, I saw starfish!!! Six in total and they were much bigger than I expected as well as different colours and shapes! Loved it!
And second, the pool was really cool! Shallow clear water in the middle of the sea! The second island was also lovely!
Note: I paid $10 extra to go on the natural pool tour. If you’ve booked the More Fun More Islands tour with San Blas Dreams then it’s included. I was happy with the way I did it as I actually got two visits to Isla Pelicano, where others only got one!
Note: Tours go around 1pm and return at approx 4pm.
In the evening I watched the sunset and sat on the beach chatting to the group. The group I met on the boat to the island were really nice and we played cards etc. Exactly what I was hoping for!
The sunrises were also stunning! And the sand so golden!
Final thoughts
The San Blas Islands are absolutely stunning, a slice of paradise! However you visit you’re in for a treat and will have a fabulous time!
I can’t believe I almost considered skipping them on the pretense a tropical island is an island right!? I am so so so glad and over the moon I ended up going! I loved how small the islands were and when looking at the horizon I could see lots of palm tree filled tiny islands. Really cool!
Panama, it’s been short but great! I’ve heard great things about Boquete and Bocas del Toro so next time!
I’m now off to Nicaragua by bus! Wish me luck – 14 hours to San José, Costa Rica and then another 8hrs to Rivas in Nicaragua where I’ll head to Ometepe Island.
I’ve got just under 14 weeks left of travels to Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico!
